Strange things have happened in this country but not many people expected that Abdu Katuntu, the Bugweri County MP would at one time deliver a message on behalf of the NRM government.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!That is what he did today when he read the government’s tribute regarding the fallen Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya.
Whenever a member of Parliament dies, the practice has always been that the leader of government business (prime minister) moves a motion paying tribute to the member. The motion is then seconded by the leader of opposition, irrespective of the political affliation of the deceased member.
Yet today as Parliament paid tribute to Ssegirinya, the front bench was empty forcing Speaker Anita Among to choose Katuntu to represent government on this occasion.
Katuntu, a former FDC member, duly obliged, leaving some MPs astounded.
Government, Katuntu said, had noted that Ssegirinya lived on industrious life, and through hard work, dedication and perseverance, rose from humble beginnings to become a Member of Parliament.
“Ssegirinya was deeply passionate about community mobilization, journalism and food security, especially in his constituency, as exemplified through his passionate advocacy for various causes, including; Community mobilization for health services through the construction of Kawempe North Hospital from which his constituents and other Ugandans accessed free health care services,” noted government.
The leader of opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi said it was shameful that the government had not sent a representative during Parliament’s mourning of Ssegirinya.
“Yesterday, I reached out to you (government) intending to move this motion, given that Ssegirinya was one of us, the practice is, normally the Prime Minister moves the motion and the leader of opposition seconds the motion, something I was very comfortable with. In fact, I was glad that the motion would be moved by somebody from the government side, it was bothersome that this morning, there was no one to move this motion. That is very disappointing,” he said.
Later, the Third Deputy Prime Minister, Rukia Nakadama, apologized on behalf of the government saying there had been some miscommunication regarding the time of the special sitting.
Among rejected the argument of miscommunication.
“I don’t want to believe in miscommunication because I would take the responsibility, the Order Paper is very clear and when I adjourned Parliament yesterday, I said, we are adjourning to 9:00Am,” she said.
Various leaders described Ssegirinya as hardworking and a patriot.
Balaam Barugahara, the minister of state for the Youth said in Ssegirinya, he had lost a friend.
“I will remember him for his tireless advocacy for the rights of the marginalized communities, especially his people in Kyebando. His fearless and outspoken criticism of social injustices and human rights abuses. I will also remember him for his passionate representation of his people of Kyebando and Kawempe, his commitment of fighting for the welfare in his constituency. His unwavering dedication to the principles of justice, equality and freedom,” he said.
Charles Onen, the MP for Laroo-Pece Division in Gulu said the circumstances under which Ssegirinya died showed that Uganda was bleeding.
“The country is bleeding and I don’t know when this country will find the right bandage to bandage the wounds of this country, of Ugandans. We are living in wounds. Everyone finds joy in hurting another person. Much as they say politics is a dirty game, we should be the sanitizers of politics. We should find the right detergent to sanitize politics,” he said.
Ssegirinya will be buried on Sunday in Masaka.